Protocol for Judges

Judges are held at the highest standards when voting.

There is a zero-tolerance policy for sexual harassment and discrimination among our judges. Should it come to our attention that a judge violates these expectations of conduct, he or she will be removed from the committee immediately.

Judges are not eligible to vote in any category in which they are nominated.

Judges are only eligible to vote in the categories or awards their committee is assigned.

Judges are only eligible to vote for bars they have visited. If a judge has not been to 5 of the bars, tasted products etc, a judge is required to abstain from voting in that category.

Any harassing, campaigning, or other activities meant to sway a judge’s opinion and vote may be considered soliciting, and must be reported to Charlotte Voisey, Chairman, Eileen Wayner, Spirited Awards Director.

All nominees in a category will have the option to send product or writing samples to their respective committees between Monday April 22nd, 2019 and Monday, May 13th, 2019.

Judges are encouraged to conduct outside research, if they deem it necessary.

Judges are encouraged to carefully read the writing samples and menu submissions for categories that apply. These files will be made available through the voting program.

Judges should not discuss votes, particularly any tiebreakers for the winner (if necessary), with anyone.

Judges should refrain from discussing nominees and potential winners on social media outlets (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, etc.) in the context of the Spirited Awards®, even if it is in jest.

Judges are urged to consider the character of the nominees when voting (e.g. adherence to no-tolerance on sexual harassment, promotes diversity, etc.)

The Regional Top 10 Nominees will be announced via Tales of the Cocktail’s newsletter and on social media channels on Thursday, May 30th, 2019.

The Top 10 nominees per category will be announced via Tales of the Cocktail's newsletter and on social media channels on Wednesday, June 12th, 2019.

The Top 4 Finalists will be announced via Tales of the Cocktail's newsletter and on social media channels on Monday, June 24th, 2019.

Judges will not be privy to the final list of winning recipients.

All winners will be announced at the 13th Annual Spirited Awards® on Saturday, July 20th, 2019 in New Orleans.

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About

Tales of the Cocktail Foundation is a non-profit organization, the global leader in spirits education, and a platform to address issues facing the industry. The mission of the Foundation is to Educate, Advance, and Support the global hospitality community through programs that benefit individuals and organizations in the industry and to create lasting impacts in our host communities.